Machine for shaping leather blanks into shoe components such as toe caps



1954 A. G. GILBERT ET AL 2,666,935

MACHINE FOR SHAPING LEATHER BLANKS INTO SHOE COMPONENTS SUCH AS TOE CAPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1948 INVENTORS G. 61W &

v Q arww H. Roy/14 J1 A TTORN E Y5 1954 A. G. GILBERT ET AL 2,666,935

MACHINE FOR SHAPING LEATHER BLANKS INTO SHOE COMPONENTS SUCH AS TOE CAPS Filed May 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS: iugww 5;. GM 8 UQLLUWM M. 'RQQ d 12 QKMM, K mpg/1 A TTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1954 A. G. GILBERT ET AL ,666,9

MACHINE FOR SHAPING LEATHER BLANKS INTO SHOE COMPONENTS SUCH AS TOE CAPS Filed May 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTORS: gm 2/ wmm Raga/us Jr v ATTORNEYS 1954 A. G. GILBERT ET AL 2,666,935

MACHINE FOR SHAPING LEATHER BLANKS INTO SHOE COMPONENTS sucn AS TOE CAPS Filed May 11. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS:

HW C GM & W a/mH-RW Patented Jan. 26 1954 MACHINE FOR SHAPING LEATHER BLANKS INTO SH OE COMPONENTS SUCH AS TOE CAPS Alfred G. Gilbert, South Acton, and William H. Rogers, Jr., Malden, Mass., assignors to Reece Folding Machine Company, Woburn, Mass., a

corporation of Maine Application May 11, 1948, Serial No. 26,254

8 Claims.

This invention consists in a novel apparatus for producing shaped leather and like components of shoes or like garments or articles; a typical instance being the shaping of shoe toe cap pieces, composed of leather or simulations or substitutes therefor, or" substantial thickness and therefore difficultly bendable, other appropriate materials including heavy and relatively resistant or stiff fabrics or felted goods. In the manufac ture of such articles the conditions and problems presented are quite different from those presented in the handling of relatively thin and pliant leather, fabrics and the like which can be sharply infolded and creased for certain manufactun ing operations remote from those of the art to which the present invention pertains.

The general object of the present invention is to afford an apparatus or machine, adapted to the performance of the operations to be described for the production of special components of shoes or other articles in a practical and erhcient manner. to turn out such products or components well adapted to the further operations, including attaching or stitching into the shoe or other article, and capable of an output of high rate and moderate cost. A particular object is to afford the production of a shaped component such as referred to made from a cut blank of a relatively resistant sheet material as stated, the product having its margin, or usually only a portion of its margin, upturned and inbent to receive a predetermined curved outline as seen in face view, but with a substantial gap or open space between the body and the inbent margin of the component, in other words without any definite fold or crease therebetween; the component being then in readiness for incorporating into the manufactured shoe or article, as by conventional stitching means adapted to reach into the space between the component body and margin for thus attaching the component, along its rounded outline, to another component or components of the shoe or other article; a typical instance being the employment oi the inbent component margin for the stitching of a shoe toe cap piece to sole elements of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to afiord a combination apparatus or machine, preferably automatic, and wherein successive steps or opera tions may be performed in one single cycle of action upon the entire blank, so that the blank may remain supported in a single location throughout the steps performed; thus distinguishing from a known method of preparing shoe and like components, requiring high skill and close attention, which comprises holding a blank in the hand and manipulating it for its margin to travel progressively through a single shaping 0r bending point, accompanied by a step-by-step feed of the blank, analogous to the intermittent fabric travel produced in the use of a conventional hemming attachment on a sewing machine with its intermittent clamping and progressive feeding actions as the hemming proceeds.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be explained in the description hereinafter presented or will be understood by those conversant with the general subject; and to the attainment of such objects and advantages the present invention consists in and the novel apparatus for producing shaped components of the kind described, and the novel features of operations, combinations, arrangements, constructions and details herein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawings, on Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a blank of leather or like material cut out in this instance in a form suitable for a shoe toe cap piece, with a dotted line indicating the shaped partial outline of the completed component.

Fig. 2 shows in perspective, in a simple illustrative manner, the principles of an apparatus or cooperative combination of members, i'ormplate, moldplate and inbender member, embodying the principles of the invention, with the parts in an initial position ready for operation upon the blank. Fig. 2a is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the apparatus and blank of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 but in a later stage of operation, the blank margin being upturned.

Fig. 4 is a view generally similar to Figs. 2 and 3 but in a still later stage of operation and certain machine members being indicated only in dotted outline to show more clearly the character of the completed component or shaped blank. Fig. la is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2a but showing the parts in positions corresponding with Fig. 4.

On Sheet 2, Fig. 5, on an enlarged scale, is a perspective View of the completed component seen in Figs. 4 and 4a, after removal from the machine. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View through the component taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. In the blank of these figures the margin is bent inwardly and well down toward the body, but p un p partly due to the dificultly bendable character and resilience of the leather material; the result b i g Practically satisfactory for thereof and better showing the other mechanisms of the machine; the machine-being illustrated of duplex character in that in each cycle it can operate simultaneously upon a symmetrically reverse pair of blanks, to become mated components, as in a pair of shoes, 7

Fig. 8 is a righthand view of a detail of the formplate and mountings taken partly on the section line 88 of Fig. '7. Fig.9 is'a front elevation view of the parts seen in Fig. 8 in their operating position. Fig. 9a is a top view of the form-- plate per se and its integral extensions. f Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of certain of thepressure producing parts as embodied at the left end of the machine, seen partly also in ne- .7-

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an assemblage of certain upper parts seen also near the left end of Fig. '1. I

On Sheet 4 Fig. 12 is a righthand elevation of the machine, partly in section on the line l2-l2 f Fig. 7 while Fig. 1 is a similar section on the line iS-l3 and Fig. la a partial rear elevation of certai'n'parts'of Fig. 1 3. I h

Fig. 15 'is a righthandelevation on the line l5l5 of Fig. 7, and Fig. 1.6 is apartial rear elevation of certain parts of Fig. 15, Fig. 17 being a partial f on e e a on i e er a s of i is- 8 is a e ch d ish end vi f r ain details, Whil eis stop ew th of ia- 20 s a d r m of t e p essure ap yin and timing means, a

T P n iple of he n ention are ada t P rt a ly to th mar ina shar as .distins sh d f m re n o dins and fiat creasin of various shoe or other blanks, especially shoe toe cap components, Where the production of the final products presents the difficulties described.

The invention consists in apparatus for treating or shaping a precut fiat blank of difiicultly bendable non-metallic sheet material to produce a component having a body of predetermined convex curvature, as seen in outline, with a shaped margin that stands up away from the body and thence extends inwardly spaced above the body, thus providing a substantial open gap between margin and body.

Describing first the blank B, Figs. -'1 to 6, its body B terminates frontwardly in a tip end or apex B3 and rearwardly in side Wings B this outline being suitable for a toe cap piece for a ladies shoe. In Fig. 1 is shown by a broken line B the bend line or final contour of the component, and between such contour and the outer edge is the initial flat margin M, seen also in its first position in Fig. 2, while Fig. 3 shows this margin at M in its upturned condition, Fig. 4 showing the same margin at M in its final inbent condition; while Figs. -5 and 6 show the completed component C after removal from the machine and with the inbent margin M slightly reopened due to the resilient properties of the sheet material. The component C has its front apex or nose end C of the desired contour, and Figs. 5 and 6 show clearly thespace or air gap C between the inbent margin M and the body B, there being no creased fold in the product.

Simple elements of apparatus for producing the shaped component, are diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4a These parts include :as the main elements a removable 'formplate 20, bein the pattern or interior shaping member with contour of the final shape desired; a fixed moldplate 28, being the recessed exterior shaping member cooperating with the formplate in a first operation; a movable inbender or wiper member 33 cooperating with the formplate in a second operation; and a presser or member 31 to depress the bendplate forcibly upon the form- Preferably the blank B is set down initially upon the moldplate to be described, the formplate is moved down into the moldplate recess, the inbender plate is then moved in, and

the press member caused to thrust down upon the bendplate, these actions being later reversed; but in using such or similar terms of direction or position this is for facility of description and not intended to constitute limitations upon the invention.

Completing the description of the implements which operate upon the blank, the formplate 20 has a convex contour -2l as seen in plan, see Fig. 2, with an apex or nose end 22 and an idle rear end 23 of straighter other convenient contour. As best seen in Figs. 2a and 4a the formplate has a relatively thick and rounded form of edge 24, as seen in section, precluding any sharp folding or creasing, while underneath the operative part of its margin the formplate is constructed with a distinct camber or convex curvature 25, its bottom face being curved upwardly away from a flat horizontal plane toward its edges, in preference to extending flatly throughout. This cambered structure permits the squeezing of the inbent margin portion M between the formplate and inbender to compact and smooth it to its shape without any pressure on the blankbody that might mar it and the final product. The formplate also has an upstanding shank 26 by which it may be mounted for lowering into forming position followed by upward retraction.

The exterior moldplate 28, see Figs. 2, 2a and others, is constructed with a contoured recess 29, corresponding closely with the desired outline of product, the recess being such that the formplate and blank can be relatively lowered into the recess as in Fig. 3, causing the first step in. the shaping of the blank. Beneath the moldplate recess there is preferably provided a blank support 3! which may prevent the blank from descending entirely through the recess; and while such underneath support may be in the nature of a ledge or shelf projecting inwardly from the moldplate contour, it preferably consists of a separate supporting plate or raised pad upon which the moldplate is mounted in an interchangeable manner and which may be arranged to transmit heat and moisture to the blank under operation. The plate 3| is secured on top of a fixed bed 45 which may be hollow to receive steam for heating purposes.

The inbender 33, seen in all of Figs. 2 to ea, is contoured at its inner edge concavely to correspond generally with the desired outline. As shown, the bender or wiper plate comprises a relatively heavy body portion 34 and a relatively thin bending edge portion or margin 35 Of the desired canto-.11. When the bender plate advances inwardly it bends over inwardly and downwardly the upturned blank margin M, well above the blank body level, forcing the leather smoothly upon the formplate top margin with a wiping action, later retracting the bender for removing the product. For so pressing the inbent blank edge downwardly upon the upper surface of the formplate there is provided a presser 31, being a device or member, or several thereof, which is mounted to be forcibly lowered upon the inbender, thrusting the latter smoothingly against the inbent blank margin M and flattening the crimps that tend to form during the inbending. A swinging lever arm 38 carries each presser.

The operation may be more completely described as comprising the defining and starting the shaping of the edge contour of each blank B between the interior formplate 20 and a recessed exterior moldpl-ate 28 by applying the formplate to the blank in a forcible way to thrust the blank into the recess 29 of the moldplate, thereby to upturn the margins M of the blank; the formplate having thick and smoothly rounded edges as seen in Fig. 2a adapted to define a shaped product the edges of which are not creased but between whose body and inbent margins remains a substantial airspace or open gap; and then by the exterior inbender member 33, which operates adjacent to the moldplate, while the blank and upturned edges remain held in position, forcibly bending such upturned margins inwardly over and down with a wiping action upon the upper edges of the formplate and confining them so; and thereupon applying supplemental pressure upon the inbender to press the inbent margins between the inbender and formplate, to complete smoothly the edge shaping of the component. In either aspect of the method it preferably comprises also the maintaining of the blank under heat and moisture during the described operations and, finally, relaxing the pressure and releasing the compo nent from its engagement with the inbender, the formplate and-the moldplate, permitting its removal from the apparatus and the insertion of a fresh blank.

As to certain portions of the apparatus not completely herein shown, such as the details of heating and moistening means, and the hydraulic system for forcibly lowering each presser 31, reference may be made to portions of copending application No. 597,190 filed June 2, 1945, which has subsequently matured into Patent No. 2,453,623 of November 9, 1948, relating to a different class and type of machine, for more detailed disclosure.

While the principle of the invention is indicated in the diagram Figs. 1 to 6, an example of actual structure is shown in Figs. to 19, Fig. being a diagram of the illustrative hydraulic mechanism and operation for thrusting downwardly the pressers to perform the final step of smoothing and compressing the inbent margin portion M of the shaped blank. It is therefore convenient to make reference to certain general parts of the apparatus or automatic machine, at this point.

The upright general frame comprises a number of fixed parts including upright end walls 463 between which extends the main shaft ii, being preferably a cyclic shaft, making one turn per operation, and carrying cams for effecting the timed actions of the apparatus, particularly the lowering and lifting of the formplate 20 into and from position and the inward and outward 6 movements of the inbender or wiper plate 33 and the operative depression and release of the presser members 31. Extending upwardly from the frame walls 40, at the rear, are brackets 42,

upon which a rear axle 43 is mounted, either fixedly or with rocking movement, in connection with the lowering and lifting of the formplate. Another main frame part is a central longitudinal table 44 supported in level position upon the end walls 40. Supported above said table is the operating bed 45 of the machine, which it is usually preferable to maintain heated, such bed being hollow to afford a steam chamber 4%, supplied with heating steam in a conventional manner, not fully shown. In cases where it is desirable to have a duplex heating system the bed 45 may be provided also, embodied in its top wall, with a series of electrical heating units 41, energized through a heater control box E8. The resistance units 41 may be accommodated in grooves in the steam chest top wall, and confined by an overlying cover plate 49, above which is attached the blank supporting plate 3| on top of which each blank is held throughout the described shaping operations.

Referring next to the pressing system, this comprises preferably a plurality of the fingers or thrust pins 37 each carried upon its swinging arm 38 to swing downwardly and upwardly. The details appear in Figs. 7 and 10 and in the diagram Fig. 20. Each presser arm is secured by a clamp 5i to a rocker 52 which may consist of a cradle with tilting end cheeks. As shown, a single clamp serves for two presser arms, both being held by the clamp, and the clamp being held between two of the rocking cheeks 52, the latter being pivoted at 53 near the front and back of the blank support 31, upon stationary lugs or fixtures 54. Normally the presser pins stand somewhat elevated above the levels of the formplate and the inbender, the lowering of the pressers occurring only after the inbenders have shaped the blank margins over the formplate. The apparatus having two sets of inbenders, one at each end of the bed, a single one of these may be considered in described the pressing structure and operation. Each rocker 52 not merely carries the clamp which adjustably holds the presser arms 38, but also has an outward extension beyond the bed #5. To maintain the presser pin normally elevated this rocker extension is shown pulled downwardly by an elongated spring 55 whereas, to thrust downwardly the presser there is provided a rod 56 arranged to press upwardly on the outer extension or arm of the rocker. Any timed means of exerting powerful elevation or swing to the rocker will serve for pressing purposes, a hydraulic system being shown as a preferred example. Thus, the lower end of the rod. 58 can be pressed upwardly by a piston 57 which slides in a cylinder 58 mounted in a fixed position upon an end frame part of the apparatus. These parts are well shown in Fig. 10. Passing next the diagram of Fig. 20 it is seen that the necessary pressing force is provided by a cam 5| on the main shaft ll, the cam having a rise and a drop between two dwells, so that its follower 82 swings rearwardly and frontwardly at separated points in each cycle, with pauses between. The follower 82 is placed on the first arm of a bell crank lever 53 pivoted at 64, its other arm being pivoted at to a pitman 56 by which the motion is transmitted to a piston 8% operating in a hydraulic cylinder 68, this couple constituting a hydraulic forcing means for operating all of the pressersof the apparatus, with an equalizing action. The .interconne'ction between the hydrauliomotor 68 andthe first mentioned piston and cylinder device 51,.58, is through a system of communicating'and distributing tubes each of which maybe flexible, and which extendto the cylintiers through which the several presser devices are actuated. To keep the system charged with liquid, as is necessary to transmit the full force of thecam, thereis .provided'a liquid supply vessel '16 of conventional character, which is closed off automatically with each advance of the-piston 6?. The liquid L may be anconventional light oil.

.The'presser actuation has been indicated. 'The cyclic acam 5i, turning counterclockwise in Fig. 20, has just released the hydrauilc pressure thereby to remove the mechanical pressure of the .p'resser pins :37 from' the 'inbender 33, .the restoring spring 55 lifting the presser slightly to clear the inbender. After a prolonged dwell, during which the forinplate inbender are put through their operations, theriseof the cam Bl comes into play, at a point of time when the formplate and inbender have reached their po sition shown in Figs. 4 and la. Ehe cam rise causes the bell crank'ES to thrust inwardly the piston 61, which pistonis normally held retracted by spring means, such :as the sprin '55 immersed in the hydraulic liquid L in the ey1in-- der {68. This use of the open type of com 8!, with spring means holding the follower to the cam, is preferred instead of using a closed type of cam. The liquid storage or supply inthe vessel is is preferably a high level, to a pressure head, "or the vessel is maintained under internal air pressure for the-same purpose, so that, while the piston 5.? stands retracted liquid flows into and fills the system comprising the cylinder 88, the distribution tubes 58 and the cylinders 58 of the several hydraulic couples which transmit the force mechanically for the foroiblelowering cf the pressers. As soonas the piston 61 starts itsadvancing -motion it closes off the port or passages between the vessel it and cylinder, and thereafter-applies the necessary force to the liquid to produce the hydraulic and mechanical actions described.

Returning to the formplate 20 this will here be described in respect to its mountings :for its downand up movements and the timed connections therefor, andthe introduction of a special feature by which duplex actions and results are conferred upon the mechanism, as indicated in the bottom view at the upper part of Fig. 7, with details illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and .911, Fig. '12 showing the same in right-hand elevation. The novel duplex arrangement referred to has two distinct aspects which are cooperatively embodied. The first aspect is that amatched pair of formplates 20 is used, designated! 9L and 20B, see Fig. '7. These two .formplates are arranged back to back with what may be called their primary or active convex contours 21 and .apexes 22 directed outwardly or away from each other, sothat when these formplatesare lowered upon the blank support 3! they will lie upon and define the contours of two separate toe'cap blanks B which, after completion-constitute a L and R pair of components adapted to be embodied in a lefthand and a righthand shoe respectively. Both of such blanks thereby become shaped simultaneously,-as indicated in Fig. 7, there-being corresponding inwardly directed moldplates and 8 inbenders for'the two formplates. The matching completed products when taken from the machine are early-subjected to the stitching operation by which: these toe cap components are interconnected with adjacent components of a pair of shoes.

The second aspect, also embodied in the illustrated apparatus, is-that each of the twoformplates, 23L and 28B, without detachment from the-machine, is readily shiftable or reversible so asto interchangeably put into effect the aforesaidprimary contour 2 lan er, at will, to change over to a different secondary contour 21 22 shown, but out of operation, in Fig '7, which may be 'serviceable for a difference in size or a difference in style of the toe cap component. Each of the paired formplates may thus be reversed in the machine by a rotary action and setting. to be described. It is convenient to lead 'up'to such point of description by commencing with the=general features of the formplate mechanism.

For the lowering and lifting movements-of the formpla-te system, whether single or duplex, there is shown aswinging carrier 74 consisting of side arms connected by a cross web, the whole extending. to wherethe carrier has hubs l3 preferably fast :upon theax-le 43. At the free or front swinging end of the carrier 14 there is formed anenlargement or swinghead 15 consisting of several rigidly united-parts, as follows. There is a pairoi bosses l6 inwhichare mounted right and left droprods ll, seenv in Fig. l2 :as depending from the bosses, and these rods .at their lower "ends carrying a longitudinal beam "it below which .the-formplates are mountedas will be described; said beam at its underside being formed .witha shallow longitudinalgroove or slot-3:9 :taking part inthe .mounting and positioning :of the -dor-mplates. 0n .the axle A3 'is shown a thirdzhubr82 which has an offset .extension Gliservingasastop member and adapted to contact against .a fixed stop .member .or' lug 85s when itheicarrier Ill.hasibeenmanually swung up :acidover rearwardlyand downwardly to the inverted position shown at the upper part of Fig. H as foraccess or repair.

"For :theregular actuation of the ,formplate carrier to swing downwardly and upwardly as between :the full-line and dotted positionsshown in .Fig. 12, the carrier is provided with a toe ,or short; .lever iarmfaefi projecting from one of the hubs-75513.13 a downward rearward slant. The swingingjfrontward :of .too 116 .causes lifting of the carrier and sformplates. To ,effect such actuation there is shown a long link 87 the rear end of which .is pivoted bya pinfili to a radius :loose on EJ116543. The pin projects into the path of the toe 86 and thus affords a loose coupling :to the toe. Thefront end of :the link is guided to permit its fore-and-ait lengthwise movements 'Such guidancemay be by-meansof a'c-utaway' or-lcngthwise slot 38 in the link separating its widened portion into the two side parts :of:a fork or-yoke, which straddles-a fixed collarzor zguidehil formed for example on the cam shaft 4i. Said collar may be the hub of an operatingcamtil, which therefore turns with the-shaft, .making a complete turn in each cycle. Ihe actionof the carrier lifting cam 90 is transmitted to the link 3'! by means of a follower 9! consisting of a roller mounted at the extreme frontendof the ,linkand engaging or bearing uponthe cam. Thecam contour has one long dwell and Opposite to it ashortdwell, these being connected by a steep rise and a steep drop, the rise of the cam corresponding with and causing the lifting of the carrier and formplate mechanism, and vice versa, the lowering force being gravity.

By the described formplate swinging arrangements and the cyclic timing thereof the formplates remain in their lowered operative position for the greater part of each cycle; but after the shaping of each blank has been completed and the inbender 33 has been retracted the formplates and carrier swing rapidly upwardly, e. g. to the retracted position shown dotted in Fig. 12, either stopping or pausing slightly at their top position for the removal of the products from the formplates, thereupon descending quickly again to operative position after a new pair of blanks has been inserted upon the moldplate 28 and blank support 3| as already described. The cam shaft may be driven under manual or pedal control, as through a clutch and brake mechanism, not shown, for example to afiford an automatic stoppage at the end of each cycle when the carrier and swinghead are at the high point of their cam-produced lift; and there may be an intermediate stop at that point when the presser mechanism is in full action, permitting the pressing period to be prolonged at will, as in special cases, before resuming operation.

Referring again to the mountings of each formplate 20, it is unitary with its shank 25 which is supported by the beam I8. For purposes of style-change reversal the shank can be turned 180 in a vertical bearing hole extending through the beam. As shown, the formplate has a central elevation r pedestal 94, which in turn has a longitudinal rib 95, upward from which extends the shank 26; Fig. 9a being a top view of these unitary parts, rotatable on the beam. The rib 95 normally engages the groove 19 in the underside of the beam, holding the formplate rigidly in place. For reversal, at will, the shank and carried parts may be lowered, permitting rotation by shifting the rib below the groove. This is resisted by a yielding means or spring 91 on the shank, confined above the beam and below a collar 98 on the upper part of the shank. For manipulation the shank carries a reversing handle 99, being an arm projecting'laterally from the shank.

By these devices the two formplates can be reversed without detachment, in a matter of seconds, by grasping the handle arms, one in each hand, depressing them to release the ribs 95, swinging them 180 and allowing them to rise as the ribs snap back into the beam groove I9. Naturally the inbenders 33, one cooperating with each of the formplates, right and left, may have concave bending contours corresponding with the convex contours of the formplates, and reversing mechanisms "for quick change, as will be by the use of steam. The details of steam flow and distribution need no description but there is shown a steam supply pipe IBI with an exten-' sion I92 to the steam chest 46 and an extension we to a means or jets to spray the blank margin at certain points in the cycle, under control of a cam-timed valve I04. A descending pipe I95. Suchplan of heating" drains condensate away.

. l0 or moistening or both is not per se herein claimed.

As shown in Figs. 7, 1'1 and 13 to 17, the inbender or wiper plate element 93 of the apparatus, like the formplate, is provided as symmetrical duplicates 33L and 33R each having a primary concave contour 36 shown in operative position and a secondary such contour '36 shown in idle position. When the pair of formplates or formers 20L and 20B is lowered upon the blanks B upon the support 3| the formers stand between the longitudinally retracted inbender plates 33L and 333, in such relation that the subsequent advance of the inbenders turns the upstanding blank margins inwardly upon the top sides of the formers. For this purpose the inbender system is arranged and connected for such inward and outward longitudinal bending movements. Also a short bodily lift and descent of the inbender system is provided to cause sufficient elevation of the inbenders that on their inward movements they may rise slightly above the top faces of the moldplates 28 and so ride up upon the blank margin portions M to inbend and wipe them on to the top surfaces of the formplates.

These inbender movements, inwardly and outwardly, and upwardly and downwardly, shown by comparing Figs. 2a and 4a, are herein produced automatically under cam timing, as will be described, coordinated with the downswinging and later retraction upwardly of the pair of formplates; these motions being coordinated also with the described presser system, the pressing of the bends by the depression of the inbenders taking place after the latter have been moved inwardly over the edges of the blanks and formplates, the pressers being retracted again before the outward retraction of the inbenders. In addition to these coordinated actions the inbenders are mounted for symmetrical reversal of each of them by manual means, to be operated at the time when the formplate reversing handles 99 may be operated, to change the inbenders, by of rotation, to present the secondary concave contours of the inbenders for cooperation with the reversed formplates.

The description of the apparatus involved in such functions may well begin with one of the active connecting parts taking part in the two pairs of inbender motions described. There is shown an elongated'longitudinal carriage member H0, in the form of a substantially square bar, with top side dovetail ribs, and underneath recesses I09, as shown in Figs. 7, 11 and 13 to 15. This carriage is shown to the rear of the blank support 3i andis adapted to be moved bodily fore-and-aft and up and down, to produce in the inbender system the described longitudinal in and out and the slight lifting and lowering thereof. Dovetailed on top of the carriage III] are left and right adjusting blocks III, one forv each of the inbenders. These blocks may each be adjusted slidingly along the carriage, and a set screw H2 is shown in Fig. 13 as a means for fixing the adjustment. One of the mechanical elements carried on and partaking of the movements of the carriage is a frontwardly projecting actuator bar II3, onesuch bar being mounted by a spacer plate H4 on top of each of the adjusting blocks III. The operations caused by said'actuator bar and by other connections from the-adjuster block' will be described later, after describing the mechanics of the means for proii ducing in the carriage its front and back and its up and down motions;

For producing the front and. back otionsof the carriage III'I ther'eis shownin'Figs."13'1ahd 14 acam disk IIon themain shaft' ll, this cam having" a groove II 6 which is engaged by a follower or roll I I1 mounted at the'free endlof the first'arm I I8 of a bell crank lever whose sec ond arm IIIJ extendsvert'ically; this lever being fulcrumed at I20, suchfulcrum beingv shown as an elongated rod mounted in thelower part of an elongate'd'double bracket I2I. The second ai'm"II9 of the bell crank is shown as forked to provide longitudinally-spaced connections to the cariage. A link I23 extends from the top end of 'each branch of'the'fo'rkedarm to the head or block' I24 of a slidable'rod' I25 mounted in the frame table. These two heads I24 eachcarry an'upstanding shoe member i26' which extends into the'underneath recess I09 ofthe carriage, as seen inFi'g. 13. The action of the cam there'- foreis that the two shoes, near the ends of the carriage, reciprocate rearwardly and frontwardly','and thereby shift the carriage accordingly.

with atr'ue'and parallel movement. I

To impose upon the carriage Hi1 its slight lifting and lowering movements it is provided, near each end with adepending contact lug I29, andithes'e carriage contacts I29 are engaged underneath by a pair ofswingable fingers I30 eachextendingfrom'a hub I31 on a shaft I32.'

See-Figs. l5 -l'7. Fo'rtrue parallelmovements these parts are duplicates; and at the front end of each shaft I 32"ism'oun'ted a cam arm I33, preferably at the front of the table 34i Each arm I3 3' extends downwardly and carries a follower I34 'wliich engage's a canrraceorsurface I3'5at thesid'of acam disk i36 whi'ch is mounted on the 'ma'in shaft 4|. The cyclicoperation' ofthe' two cams liifi'therefore causes the parallel lift-- iii'g and lowering" movements of"the carriage. For initial adjustment bet-ween'the cam arm E33 and the cam surface I there islorovid'edarr a'd jilstiligsciwdevice I'SBZb'Y'iK 'Hibh the position of the follower 34 91) the 'fiee ehd'of the-arm may be 'adjustably shifted1'aif0idirig' a delicate m'eans of pred'eifei'minin'g the raisedhnddowere'd positions of the carriage.

The duplex arrangement or the 'inbe'nder has been referred'toybothin the first'sen'se tnat there are two inb'ender's 33D and- 33R corresponding tothe left" and ri ht formplatesj while below" each inbender' is corresponding 'moldplate 28L or ling-the concave formation at their 2'8R'theseha inner butnot'at their outeredgesi See Figs 7'.

Both'of these members" 28' and-33-J-a1'e" generally" square, except for their concave outlines. andi' when theinbendersare-retractedthey, overlie and correspond closely with-thezmoldplates be;

/neath-,-aswell shown in Fig. 11; The moldplates donotpartake ofthe=inward and outward move ments of-theinbenders. The latter ave -provided with shallow upstanding gage members Mil useful for theinitial positioning ofthe blanks, in the manner indicated in Fig 2, w-herein the: inner edges of 28 and 33substantiallycorrespond, having'the effect ofa thickened-moldplate, but the" upper member, the inbender in eachcase, being thereafter operated as described to rise slightly as seen in Fig. 4a and shift inwardly beyond the moldplate to inbend the blank margin. This arrangementhas the importance that when opera tiP I Start the inbender lies under. the blank margin so that, when the margin'has sen-turned. up as" shown in Fig. 2c in-dottedlines, the-in.-

1 2 bender can bend over the upstanding margin onto the top surface of the fo'rmplate.

For the-purpose of manipulating the moldplate-it is shown provided at its outer side with an upstanding post MI. The moldplate at each end, and the inbender superimposed thereommay both be positioned and guided for longitudinal movements with their edges beneath a pair of front and.back guides or side ledges I42. For the purpose of affording the reverse rotation of each inbender it is bodily removable from under the guidingled'ges I421 By such removal or disengagement of the inbender it may then be tu-rned endv forend and replaced for the changed size (or style) of blank;

An important element in the described mech-. anism is an oblong floating. base or block I 43; through which the inbender shank 154 extends; upwardly. as does the formplate shankzt in the beam [8. Said block'or float has a short front ward'exte'nsio'n to which is attached an upwardly and 'frontwardiv extending ,handle 544. When themechanis'm is" once set for the inbending. of'a given style each float or base 143 constitutes a means for perfo'rmingseveral functions. in-.. cluding transmitting. longitudinal movements in: wardly' and outwardly, to its inbender. To transmitsuch' movements from the carriage I ID to the block orbase 143 and thereb'yjto the inb'ender, the actuator bar H3 projecting. .from thetcarriage is formed with an open slot M5; see Figs 7,1l'and 1'3} engaged by a phil iii projecting; downwardly from the longitudinal. arm I4! of.a bell crank lever, which has itssecond arm I48= extended frontwardly, this two-armed lever being fulcrumed'on a verticali'axis by an.upstand.-.- ingpost I49 fiiied to the .top. side of the bed 45.. At its front end' the second'arm .I48is formed with a wide slot I5l, which accommodatessnugly the oblo'ng'fioating base piece 143.. B'ygthese-conn'ections,. when the .carriage. I I0-shifts frontwardl'y and then rearwardly, the bellcrankldl, l l8'converts such' motion toa longitudinalswing. which, acting through the base piece- I43, causesthe endwiseshift inwardly and then outwardly of the inbender,. thus accomplishing the primary purposeof the .discldsedmechanism.

Fora purposetob'e.explainedtheslot I 5! of the arm I48,.swhile substantially aclosed slot, is connected with an opening or gate I 52 at-its, longitudinally, inner side,. thisigater being. wide enoughlfor theishank 154 of, theformplate, ,up standing from itspedestalv I53, see. also Figs- 13, 18 and'119'," to pass. longitudinally. from the slot and" through the gate whentheblock. I43 has. been lifted above the level of the bellcra-nkarm I IB'. Thisv permits the. associated'l inbender. and floating base; tobe'. disengagedbodily from their. mountings, including-the:guides: I42, by, a .longi-p tudinallyinward"motion:

The-=floating block and inbender, as a unit, are now in hand, andthc'lattermay readilybe rotated 180 to change from its primary to its secondary contour, followed bythe reengage- -ment ofthe inbenderwith its mountings These connections. As already stated, the upstanding shank I54 of the inbender passes through a vertical hole in the floating block. At the upper part of said shank, well above the floating block, the shank, at its top end, is provided with a frontwardly extending handle I55 for manipulating these parts in cooperation with the manipulation of the block by the handle I44. In order to hold the inbender slightly elevated above its lowermost position, and preferably in contact with the underside of the floating block, its shank is provided near its upper end with a collar I56, spaced well above the block, and a coil spring I! is interposed between the block below and the collar above. By these means the detachment of each inbender from its operating connections in order to reverse it 180 and restore it is readily effected; the operator grasping the floating block handle I44 with one hand and the somewhat higher inbender handle I55 by the other hand, and first lifting the block by the first handle until the block is entirely above the bellcrank, while compressing the spring and holding down the inbender by the second handle, thus positioning the inbender shank to pass through the gate I52. This entire assemblage is thus removed inwardly, whereupon, holding steadily the first handle, the second handle is thrown around through 180, thus reversing the inbender outline, the parts being then restored by reversing the order of these operations. The float or block thus eventually takes its operative position within the bellcrank slot I5I, and operations can then be resumed, to inbend blanks of the secondary style contour, when the formplate and moldplate have been suitably converted.

As already explained, each inbender 33 is to be lifted slightly relatively to the formplate and moldplate to facilitate its inward or bending movement as indicated in Figs. 2a and 4a; and such lifting and lowering movements of the inbenders are transmitted thereto by the corresponding lifting and lowering of the carriage H6. For these purposes each of the adjustable blocks III on the carriage has attached to it a plurality of lifting bars E65, extending frontwardly to positions beneath the inbender to, be lifted. See Figs. '7, ll, 13, and 18. The two lift bars I60 shown for each inbender partake of the carriage lift, which they transmit to the inbender, and they partake also of the frontward and rearward transverse movements of the carriage, although these are idle motions in the lift bars.

For the purpose of transmitting the lifting and lowering movements of each inbender 33,

without any interference with the blank sup-.

porting pad 3| or the moldplate 28, the following structure is provided. Each of the two lift bars projects frontwardly into a space provided by a top groove I6I in the fixed plate 49 and a matching underneath groove I62 in the blank support. These grooves or cutaway portions provide a deep recess which is open at its rear end and is of extended vertical dimension to permit the lifting and lowering movements of the bars I60.

Such lift bar rising and lowering movements are transmitted to the inbender 33 by means extending upwardly from the inner end of each of the lift bars through registering holes I66 formed bothin the supporting pad SI and in the overlying moldplate 28, and reaching to the inbender plate thereabove. This transmitting device is shown as a member I64 having upstanding fingers I65 which reach through the holes in the pad and moldplate into lifting contact with the inbender. These parts are best shown in the sectional view Fig. 18 and the top view Fig. 19. The member I64 may be considered a lift finger member, and its lower portion preferably lies flatly on top of its lift bar I60, resting loosely thereon rather than being attached, so that the front and back horizontal movements of the lift bars will be idle sliding movements having no effect upon the lift finger action. The inbender normally rests down upon the moldplate, as in Fig. 2a, and when the carriage and lift bars are in their lowered position the member I64 and its upstanding fingers I65 rest down upon the lift bars, with their top ends preferably slightly below and out of contact with the underside of the inbender. When, however, at the proper point in the cycle, the carriage rises, the lift bars raise the lift member, and its fingers thereby cause the lifting of the inbender from the Figs. 2a to the Fig. 4a position. There being two of the lift bars, and each of them carrying two lift fingers, four points of lift are provided, giving an even and parallel motion to the inbender, the top of which motion is preferably limited by the overlying guide ledges I42. The desired objective has thus been attained by the described inbender lifting and lowering mechanism actuated from the rear carriage.

The operative movements of the active members 26, 33 and 87 have hereinabove been described, along with the mechanisms for producing their movements, all timed from the main shaft M. The formplate 26 is lowered by its cam 99 after a blank has been laid in position,

manually or otherwise, with its margin overly-' ing the inbender 33, thus resulting in the upturning of the margins as shown in Figs. 2a and 3, the moldplate 28 taking part in this first shaping step. The inbender is then lifted slightly as in Fig. 4a and advanced inwardly to inbend the blank margin over the thick formplate edge; these respective movements being produced through the carriage Ilil by means of the lifting cam I36 and the other cam H5, with relative timing as indicated. Thereupon the presser 31 is operated from its cam 6I to depress forcibly the inbender, especially at the inner edge thereof, to press, flatten and remove crimps from the portion of the blank margin overlying the fiat top side of the formplate. Thereafter, the cam BI relaxes the pressure and lifts the presser, the cams H5 and I36 move outwardly and then lower the inbender upon the moldplate, and finally the cam 90 swings to its elevated position the formplate, carrying the completed product, which may then be removed manually or otherwise. For quick interchange of the machine for differences in size or style it has been described how a duplex formplate may be used, with two seen in Fig. 2a, a single moldplate may servefor several different sizes or styles of product in view of the fact that the inbender plate overlies the moldplate and has the required outline operaces-pa 5 1'5 able to; upturn the blank margin as the form.- plate is-thrustdownwardly upon the blank. A- simple and practical mode of" interchange for the formplate, by use of the mechanism already described, is asfollows. When the-inbender in its'sub-assembly with the floating block t'43'is detached, as described, for reversingthe inbender to 180 to change its contour, the moldplate at this time, before the reattachment of the inbender, may readily be slid out frombeneath the guidingledges l #22: and thus completely detached; to be replacedby a substitutemoldplate having an outline to correspond with the secondary outlines of the formplate and inbender; These manipulations of the stationary moldplate, for interchange purposes, are readilyeffected by. the moldplate upstanding'handledfi, appearing in Figs. Tandll. Inorder to anchor stationarily the moldplate afterinterchange' a simple positioning device maybe employed, such as a pair of spaced apart pin-and-ho'le devices I10; Fig. 7, small holes being formed in the mold-' plate in position corresponding withsmall pins upstanding from the blank supporting pad-31.

There have thus been-disclosed an apparatus for producing shaped leather and like compo nents of shoes or like garments or articles'which embody the principles andattain the objects of thepresent invention; but since many mattersof operations, combinations, arrangements, c0n-- structions and details may be variously modified without departing from such principles, it is not intended to limit the invention to such matters except to the extent set' forth in the appended:

claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for shaping precut blanks or leather or likedirlicultly bendablehia'terial into toecap or likecomponents of shoes or like ar ticlescomprising, in combination'with asupportfor the blanks to be shaped, an interior form?- plate having a convex forming" outline of thick and roundededge section, with mountings determining and guiding lowering and rising movements toward and from the blank support; an exterior moldplate upstanding above the support level and recessed to a form to surround and correspond to the-outline of the-'formpl'ate, so that when the formplate is lowered it thrusts theblank into such recess thereby to shape the blank body and upturn its margins; an inbender or wiper plate movable" above said moldplate and; having an operative outline corresponding tozthat ofthe formplate, with mountings determining and guiding "inward bending and outward:return movements thereof, thereby to inbend and wipe the upturned blank margins snugly over the thick edgesof' the formplate; a supplemental presser means mounted, to. be lowered 111 h inbender in its inward position thereby to squeeze: theinbent blank. margins between the. inbender. and thetopsideof the formplate; and timed operating mechanism adapted in eachcycle, to actuate said formplate, inbenderand presser. incosymmetrically mated contours, lowerable-by said,

formplate mountings to the middle part of the blank support; and having outwardly there'o'f; in. addition. to. such moldplate; a second such; moldv plate, the? two. thereof. being 5 arranged; with the".-

respective: formplates.: between. the same; and:

corresponding: in. outlinetherewith; and above;-

said. respective moldplates, in addition: to" such inbender a second such inbender; the two thcreof correspondingin outline with said formplate's; said formplate and inbender sets'or pairs being actuable in unison to shapetwo mated shoe parts in each operation; for left and right shoes respectively; and said' machine having its said formplates constructed each with two difierent shape outlines andhaving mechanisms for convertibly shifting, without removal from their mountings; the two' formplatesto bring cheer the other of such outlines at will selectively into: active position.

2. A shaping machine as in claim 1 and'wh'ere-- in each inbender has mountings convertibly shiftableat' will as between two outlines corre= sponding to the outlines of the formplates;

3. A shaping machine as in claim? and where'- in the conversion of formplate and inbender as betweendiiferent shapes is: adapted to be ef fected by rotation on the mountingsthereof by substantially a half turn;

4; A. machine for shaping'leather blanks into. shoe components; astoecaps; comprising a reversible formplate member'havin'g primary and.

secondary forming outlines of thick edge section, with mountingsand means to'cause lowering and rising movements toward and from the. blank shaping position; a' moldplate recessed to cooperate with the outline of the formpl'a'te, such that when the formplate is lowered it thrusts the. blank into such recess thereby to shape its body and upturn. its margins; and a reversible inbender member above saidmoldplate having primary andsecondary outlines cooperative with the outlines. of th forniplate, withmountings and,

means to cause inward bending and outwardreturn movementsthereof, thereby forcibly to inbend the upturned blank. marginssnugly over the thick edges of the formplateiv 5. A machine: for shaping leather blanks into shoe components, as toecaps, comprisinga re versible formplate member having primary and secondary forming outlines of thick edge section,

with mountings and means to cause lowering and and outward returnmovements thereof, thereby forcibly toinbend the upturned blank margins.

snugly over. the. thick edges of.--the formplate; at

least; one of said. members having a. spring pressed shift'able: shank; and being; mounted-- thereby in a manner. withthemember. normally; lockedib'ut adapted to be. unlocked by shifting its shank topermit reversal ofIthe member;

6'. A machine as in claim 5 andwherein it is theformplate member that has. such mountings to permit unlocking and reversal.

'7. A machine for. shaping leather blanks into shoe components, as toecaps, comprising a reversible formplate'having primary and secondary forming outlines of thick edge section, with. mountings and meansto. cause lowering-andris' ing movements toward andifrom theblank shapand upturn its margins; and a reversible inbender above said moldplate having primary and secondary outlines cooperative with the outlines of the formplate, with mountings and activating means to cause inward bending movements and outward return movements thereof, thereby forcibly to inbend the upturned blank margins snugly over the thick edges of the formplate; and characterized further in that the said inbender mountings which permit it to slide in and out, are guide means permitting up-and-down motion and permitting detachment bodily endwise of the inbender from the guide means; together with the said actuating means the same including a slotted arm for causing such in-and-out sliding of the inbender; the inbender having an upstanding shank, a floating block occupying the slot of said slotted arm thereby transmitting the arm motion to the inbender through said shank, the latter being extended upwardly through a hole in said block; a collar on the inbender shank above the floating block and a spring between the collar and block tending to lift the shank and inbender relatively to the block, so arranged that the block may be lifted above the slotted arm while holding down the shank and inbender, said arm being provided with a gate leading from said slot and permitting the inbender shank to pass through the gate for bodily detachment of the inbender and block assembly; whereby the inbender may be rotatively reversed for outline conversion and reattachment in operative position.

8. A shaping machine of the kind described having a reversible formplate, and cooperating therewith a recessed moldplate and a reversible inbender, said inbender being mounted to slide in and out, with guide means permitting up-anddown motion and permitting detachment bodily endwise of the inbender from the guide means; together with actuating means including a slotted arm for causing such in-and-out sliding of the inbender, the inbender having an upstanding shank, a floating block occupying the slot of said slotted arm and transmitting the arm motion to the inbender through said shank, the latter being extended upwardly through a hole in said block, a collar on the inbender shank above the floating block and a spring between the collar and block tending to lift the shank and inbender relatively to the block, all so arranged that the block may be lifted above the slotted arm while holding down the shank and inbender, said" arm being provided with a gap or gate leading from said slot and permitting the inbender shank to pass through the gate for bodily detachment of the inbender and block assembly; whereby the inbender may be rotatively reversed for outline conversion and reattachment in operative position.

ALFRED G. GILBERT.

WILLIAM H. ROGERS, JR.

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